Powerful Earthquake Strikes Taiwan, At Least 7 Dead

A devastating earthquake in Taiwan has resulted in at least 7 deaths and over 700 injuries. Rescue operations continue as officials fear the casualty count may

Powerful Earthquake in Taiwan. At least 7 people are dead, over 700 are injured. VIDEO of the moment the earthquake occurred

Taiwanese officials have confirmed - as rescuers pull people from collapsed buildings - that at least 5 people have died, and approximately 700 others are injured.

Rescuers are also attempting to free 77 people trapped in the collapsed buildings.

Five of the deceased - including three hikers on a nearby trail - died due to falling rocks, officials say.

The rescue operation for victims is ongoing, so it is very likely that the number of victims will increase.

This is the strongest earthquake in Taiwan in the last 25 years, seismologists say, as quoted by the BBC.

China, which has a very tense relationship with Taiwan, including at a military level, has announced it is offering assistance to the Taiwanese. The Chinese Office for Taiwanese Affairs issued a statement shortly after the earthquake occurred, expressing concern for the damages and willingness to offer disaster assistance.

Rescue operations continue to reach people trapped in Hualien, as well as in other areas of Taiwan. According to the National Fire Agency, many people are trapped in tunnels, including in the Renqing Tunnel and the Qingshui Tunnel.

At least 12 people have been rescued from the Uranus building in Hualien. In Taipei, two people were rescued from an elevator stuck in the Zhongshan district, and seven people were rescued from a collapsed building site in the Xindian district of New Taipei City.

The earthquake initially triggered tsunami warnings on the island and in neighboring countries, some of which were later withdrawn. The epicenter is located about 18 km south of the city of Hualien in Taiwan, according to the US Geological Survey.

Hualien is the largest region in Taiwan, located on the east coast of the island, known for its mountainous terrain.

The earthquake and multiple aftershocks triggered landslides, the collapse of many rocks and large boulders, blocking roads and railway lines, and causing damage that could take weeks to repair.